Nicola Else

Creating new opportunities for myself and learning new things was important to me. In the past, my local authority supported my daughter within a school setting and assisted her in transitioning into a new school. This was what really sparked my interest in social work.

I realised the importance of social workers’ role in supporting children and families. I have also worked as a teaching assistant for many years, supporting children with special needs and working alongside their parents to develop strategies for helping them succeed in school. This led me to develop a strong passion for supporting people and finding it rewarding to make positive changes in the lives of others.

Edge Hill was my top choice because its social work degree emphasises both practical and classroom training. I attended the open day and spoke with lecturers about the course and expectations, which I found very interesting and was eager to begin. As a single mother of three children, Edge Hill was also the perfect location for me because it was not too far from home. I know that Edge Hill has also been an amazing experience for friends who have been there.

I have learned the importance of theory in social work during this course. It has also been a pleasure to meet new people and gain valuable skills for my future career.

Placements have given me a great deal of confidence. They have provided me with the chance to apply what I learned in the lectures to real-world situations and to gain a better understanding of issues and challenges faced by people as well as those faced by social workers.

The lecturers have been very supportive and bring social work experiences to the classroom. They have a wide range of social work experiences, such as working with children and families, working with adults with disabilities, working with mental health and many more.

The feedback from my assignments has always been constructive. This has allowed me to keep doing what works and improve on certain areas next time. Lecturers are very approachable too. I have felt supported by lectures when I have faced challenges outside of university too. They have listened and guided me, which is incredibly valuable in terms of wellbeing support.

This degree has provided me with the opportunity to work with diverse populations, address social issues and inequalities, advocate for change, and make a meaningful difference in others’ lives. Through my learning, I have gained a better understanding of my own children’s needs, which has been valuable in providing better opportunities to support them.

I will be able to demonstrate to employers that I have a wide range of skills and knowledge. I may also be able to qualify for higher level positions with this degree. As a single parent, it is important to me to have financial stability and be able to provide my children with more opportunities.

Learning about social work and the legislation surrounding it has been the best part of my Edge Hill experience. I have also enjoyed the feeling of success when it comes to assignment results. Receiving feedback from service users has also been incredibly rewarding during placement. It has increased my confidence enormously and I feel gratified knowing I have made a difference in someone’s life.

I hope to work for a local authority within a youth offending team when I graduate. This has always been an interest of mine as I have work with offenders as a support worker in a supported accommodation setting.

I sought learning support when I first started as I have borderline dyslexia. Through this support, I was able to receive extra time in exams and guidance on academic writing from UniSkills. As a result, I have been able to improve my writing structure throughout my assignments.

Edge Hill University is very supportive. I have found that university treats everyone equally and makes it possible for everyone to achieve their goals despite personal or academic difficulties. They have given me confidence, courage and inspired me to reach my goals.